How to Insert a PDF Into a Word Document

The simplest way: insert as an image

The fastest way to put a PDF into a Word document is to insert it as an image. Open your Word document, go to the Insert tab at the top, click Pictures, then This Device, and select your PDF file. Word will convert the first page of the PDF into an image and place it in your document.

This method works well if you only need one or two pages and you don't plan to edit the content. The PDF appears as a picture, so you can resize it by dragging the corners, but you cannot edit the text inside it. If your PDF has multiple pages, Word will only show the first page unless you repeat this process for each page you want to include.

The image quality depends on your PDF's resolution. Most PDFs look clear when inserted this way, but very small text might become blurry if you shrink the image too much.

Key Takeaways

Inserting a PDF as an image is the fastest method and works in all versions of Word, but you can only edit the text by copying it separately.
Embedding a PDF as an object lets you open and view the original file from inside Word, though it increases file size and requires the PDF reader to be installed.
If you need to edit the PDF content directly in Word, convert the PDF to a Word document first using an online converter or your PDF software.
Multi-page PDFs inserted as images require you to insert each page separately if you want all of them in your document.

Embedding a PDF so readers can open it

If you want someone to be able to open the original PDF file from inside your Word document, use the embed method instead. Go to Insert, click Object (you may need to click the small arrow next to it), then select Create from File. Browse to your PDF and click Insert.

This creates a link to the PDF file inside Word. When someone opens your Word document and double-clicks the embedded PDF, it opens in their default PDF reader. This is useful if you want to include a reference document that readers might want to examine in detail without copying text into your Word file.

One drawback: the Word document's file size grows significantly because it now contains the entire PDF. Also, if you move or delete the original PDF file, the embedded version may not open properly on other computers. The person reading the document needs to have a PDF reader installed on their computer.

Converting the PDF to Word first

If you need to edit the PDF's text directly inside Word, the best approach is to convert the PDF to a Word document before inserting it. Many free online tools can do this — search for "convert PDF to Word" and upload your file. The tool will create a .docx file that you can read and open in Word.

Once the PDF is converted to Word format, you can copy the text and paste it into your document, or open the converted file and edit it directly. The conversion is not always perfect — formatting may shift, and images might not align exactly as they did in the PDF — but the text will be editable.

If you use Microsoft 365 (the subscription version of Office), Word has a built-in PDF converter. Open Word, go to File > Open, select your PDF file, and Word will attempt to convert it automatically. This method is faster than using an online tool and keeps everything within Microsoft's software.

Copying and pasting text from a PDF

If you only need specific text from the PDF, you can copy it directly without inserting the whole file. Open the PDF in your PDF reader, select the text you want, copy it (Ctrl+C on Windows, Command+C on Mac), then paste it into Word (Ctrl+V or Command+V).

This method works best for small amounts of text. Formatting like bold, italics, and colors usually carries over, though spacing and line breaks may need adjustment. If the PDF is locked or protected, you may not be able to select and copy the text — in that case, you'll need to use one of the other methods.

Handling multi-page PDFs

If your PDF has many pages and you need all of them in your Word document, inserting each page individually as an image is tedious. Instead, convert the PDF to Word format first using the method described above, then open the converted document and copy all the content into your main Word file.

Alternatively, if you only need a few specific pages from a long PDF, use your PDF reader to extract those pages into a new PDF file, then convert that smaller file to Word. Most PDF readers have an export or extract function — right-click the PDF and look for "Extract pages" or similar options.

Troubleshooting common problems

If Word won't let you insert a PDF, make sure the file is not corrupted. Try opening the PDF in your PDF reader first to confirm it works. If it opens fine there but Word rejects it, the PDF may use an unusual format that Word doesn't recognize.

If the inserted PDF image looks blurry or pixelated, the original PDF's resolution is too low. You can try inserting it again, but the result will be the same. If clarity matters, ask whoever created the PDF for a higher-resolution version.

If you embedded a PDF and it won't open when someone else opens your Word document, the original PDF file may not be in the same location on their computer. To fix this, re-embed the PDF or convert it to Word format instead, which keeps the content inside the document itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit text inside a PDF after I insert it into Word?

Not directly — if you insert the PDF as an image, it becomes a picture and you cannot edit the text. If you embed it as an object, you can open the original PDF from Word, but edits happen in the PDF reader, not in Word itself. To edit PDF content in Word, convert the PDF to a Word document first.

Will inserting a PDF make my Word document much larger?

Inserting as an image adds only a small amount of file size. Embedding the entire PDF file makes the Word document significantly larger because it contains the full PDF inside it. Converting to Word format and copying the text adds the least file size.

What if the PDF is password protected?

You can still insert a password-protected PDF as an image or embed it as an object. However, you cannot copy text from it or convert it to Word format without entering the password first. Open the PDF in your reader, enter the password, then try the conversion or copying method again.

Is there a way to insert all pages of a multi-page PDF at once?

Not automatically in Word. Your best option is to convert the PDF to Word format, which preserves all pages, then copy the content into your document. Alternatively, use your PDF reader to split the PDF into individual pages, then insert each as an image if you need them all visible in Word.

Can someone edit the PDF after I send them the Word document?

If you inserted it as an image, they cannot edit it — it is a picture. If you embedded it, they can open and view the original PDF but cannot edit it from within Word unless they have the PDF editing software. If you converted it to Word format, they can edit the text like any other Word content.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.